How to Naturally Increase GABA in Your Body

As humans, we are no strangers to stress. Between the demands of work, the obligations of family, the non-stop barrage of information pipelined to us through social media, and topped with the often stress-inducing state of the globe, we are on edge, exhausted, and feel generally just worn down and burned out. 


Now more than ever, it is important to stay on top of managing stress to ensure we’re taking care of our bodies and our minds. While managing stress is easier said than done, we can help curb some of the side effects of stress by keeping tabs on an essential chemical in our brains: amino acid gamma-aminobutyric acid, or better known as, GABA.


What is GABA?

Other than an acronym that is pretty fun to say, what exactly is GABA? 


Simply put, GABA is a neurotransmitter, or one of the brain’s chemical messengers, responsible for orchestrating communication between your brain and the rest of your nervous system. In layman’s terms, you could say that it’s pretty important stuff!


GABA is the body’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. It’s whole job is to reduce or inhibit the activity of nerve cells in your nervous system. By doing this, you are able to keep your mind more relaxed and in a peaceful state.


This is achieved when GABA binds to the proper receptors in the brain, serving as a way to slow down the more stimulating neurotransmitters. With these “brakes” enabled, you can slow down, take a breather, and feel more at ease while reducing stress and anxiety.


When our GABA levels are low, we tend to feel sluggish and not at all like ourselves. It can have a negative impact on mood, sleep, motivation and so much more!


The Benefits of Increased GABA

Now that you know what it does and how it works, what are the benefits? With increased GABA levels, you can expect the following:

  • Reduced stress, both mental and physical
  • Eased anxiety symptoms
  • Calmer moods
  • Better maintained blood pressure
  • Improved sleep quality 
  • Decreased muscle tension

 

Woman sitting on dock near water during sunrise meditating, silhouette of woman with shoreline on the rightside

 

How to Increase GABA

Now that we’ve established GABA as a good thing with several benefits, how do we increase it in our bodies? Check out these five tips!

 

1. Yoga and Meditation: This method isn’t just a fad or a popular scene depicted in movies or the media. Actually, routine yoga and meditation can go a long way in decreasing stress and boosting the presence of GABA. Yoga has been around for centuries and has been used to help center the spirit and regain balance over both the body and the mind.

Not only that, but it can also help lower the level of cortisol in the body. Cortisol, while it serves an important purpose in our bodies, is a stress hormone that if we have too much of it, can be responsible for many issues, including depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure. 

 

2. Exercise and Physical Activity: Working out as a regular part of your weekly routine isn’t just something that is beneficial to your body. Actually, it can have some really positive effects on your mental health as well. One of these is actually increasing GABA signaling in your brain.

The more of a routine you have, the better this GABA signaling will become consistent over time. For example, working out three or four days a week will help better rather than just one or two days a week.

 

3. Incorporate GABA-Rich Foods Into Your Diet: There is truth to the words, ‘you are what you eat’, and it certainly applies when eating GABA-rich foods. GABA is actually produced by another amino acid that is located in the brain called glutamate. If you’re looking for good sources of glutamate, search no further than these great foods:

  • Slow-cooked meat and poultry
  • Fish
  • Bone broths
  • Walnuts
  • Cured and preserved foods, such as cheeses and meats
  • Broccoli
  • Soybeans


Vitamin B6 also supports the production of GABA. Pick up these Vitamin B6-rich foods on your next grocery store run:

  • Spinach
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Garlic
  • Bananas


4. Try GABA-Activating Herbs: There are certain herbs that can actually be considered GABA activators that help support our brain’s natural production of GABA. Here are some noteworthy herbs for you to consider:

Kava: If you like tea, this is a great option for you! Kava is often consumed as tea and is a great source of GABA-activating compounds called kavalactones.

Ashwaganda: We heavily feature this herb in our nootropic stacks, as it is well-known for increasing GABA. Ashwagandha contains compounds called withanolides which are responsible for activating GABA receptors in the brain.

Valerian: This is a popular option for many who are after a natural sleep aid, as it helps the mind relax and unwind. For centuries, research shows that this can also help increase GABA levels.

Passion Flower: Another great natural sleep aid that is also a source of GABA.

Lemon Balm: Here is another one for tea lovers. Lemon balm makes a delicious tea and is well-known for its soothing and calming properties.

 

5. Add Stacks Nootropics To Your Day: Adding a once-a-day drink to your everyday routine can go a long way to help bolster the presence of GABA in your brain. STACKS NOOTROPIC, is a very easy-to-use product that you simply add to a bottle of water. It is a portable powder that you can take anywhere for added convenience - the gym, the office, vacation, you name it! 

Stacks Nootropics features a special formula that is designed to provide a wide array of neuroprotective benefits while also promoting cognitive and executive functions. Some of these include stress management, l, better time management, and a boosted, healthier mood.

To get started, submit your first order today! Because we believe in our product, we also give you a 30-Day, money-back guarantee. If you’re ready to feel better, de-stress, and increase the presence of GABA in your brain, then what are you waiting for? 

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